Dev Newsletter, June 2011

The OECD Development Centre, in co-ordination with the AfDB, UNDP, UNECA, the EU and ACP has released the 10th edition of the AEO 2011.

The African Development Bank hosted the launch of the 10th edition of the African Economic Outlook in Lisbon Portugal on 6 June, focusing on Africa and its Emerging Partners.

This latest edition of the AEO presents a comprehensive analysis of the economic, social and political developments in the region including in-depth country notes on 51 of the continent’s 53 economies, a macroeconomic overview and a special study on Africa and its Emerging Partners.

Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank, led the opening ceremonies, and with Joao Gomes Cravinho, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation for Portugal, introduced the members of the panel. Mthuli Ncube, Chief Economist and Vice President of the AfDB, Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre, Pedro Conceição, Chief Economist and Head of the Strategic and Advisory Unit, UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, Emmanuel Nnadozie, Director of the Economic Development and NEPAD Division, UNECA and Jorge Braga De Macedo, Director, Centre for Globalization and Governance (CG&G), Universidade Nova de Lisboa led the discussion for the launch of the AEO.

Wikiprogress continues its rapid growth including significant new interest for data sharing on Wikiprogress.Stat. The .Stat site now houses well over 100 data sets on human development and other indicators and large numbers of new indicators are being added, including those on child well-being.

Wikiprogress is also delighted to announce two new information sources on our homepage: a Human Development feed from the UNDP and a Quality of Life feed from ISQOLS. These new feeds on development issues will complement the wealth of information on Wikiprogress.

With many new progress initiatives and planned networks underway, we are currently working hard to secure funding sponsors. If your organisation is interested in developing a project with Wikiprogress, please get in touch.

ASEAN economies are showing resilience under easing headline inflation. However, the general trend masks diverse country performances. For instance, Malaysia and Thailand show upward movement in business cycles. Activity is picking up in Malaysia on the back of sound export performance (in particular electronics) and
robust private consumption.

The Great Touhoku Earthquake in Japan has had a temporary impact on activity and exports in some countries, such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand but in general the magnitude of the negative impact appears to have so far been limited.